TASK
ESTABLISH AN AREA OF
OPERATION
CONDITIONS
IN A CLASS ROOM ENVIRONMENT, WITH A
SLIDE SHOW AND KNOWLEDGEABLE
INSTRUCTOR BE ABLE TO MEET THE…
STANDARD
THE STANDARD IS MET WHEN LEADERS AND
SOLDIERS UNDERSTAND THEIR
RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES INVOLVED IN
ESTABLISHING AN AREA OF OPERATIONS
REF: Field Manual 19 – 4 Chap. # 3
To provide quality classroom guidance and
instruction on establish an area of operation
RISK ANALYSIS
LOW
RELOCATE WITHIN OR DEPLOY TO A
THEATER OF OPERATIONS
Assigned duties IAW Company SOP PER:
Assigned section/duty section
In combat you must be able to move rapidly to a new
area of operations. You must be able to quickly set up
your base and develop your local security.
MOVING TO A NEW AREA OF OPERATIONS
1st TMCA units relocate personnel, equipment, and vehicles to new AOs
by mounted tactical road marches. To conduct a tactical road march you
must-•Ensure the area through which you will move is reconnoitered.
•Select a destination site if one has not been named.
•Choose and dispatch a quartering party.
•Consider and plan combat loading.
•Plan the tactical road march.
•Ensure the unit is in the proper mission-oriented protective posture
(MOPP) level for the environment.
•Move to your new location.
PLANNING A TACTICAL ROAD MARCH
When you are readying for a tactical road march—
•Ensure a route recon is done.
•Use the recon information to---Choose sites for halts and release points.
--Spot problem areas along the route.
--Select bypasses or alternate routes.
•Have the recon cover the route from the unit's staging area to
the start point. You must know how long it takes to get there.
And you need to know what problems the unit may meet. See
also Route Recon Patrols,
•Choose a start point, where the road march will begin.
PLANNING A TACTICAL ROAD MARCH
•Choose a release point, where the road march will end. These points
must be easy to recognize on the ground.
•Pick fairly secure locations for halts.
•Choose areas that provide cover and concealment.
•Avoid choosing highly populated areas, curves in the road, or other
hard-to-secure areas.
•Plan your timing so your unit arrives at the start point just before
your scheduled time for crossing it. (You will be given the time when
your unit must cross the start point. As other units may be planning
to use the route, each unit must cross the start point on time. Being
too early or too late can cause a traffic jam at the start point.)
•Send the quartering party to look for and prepare the new
operational site if you have not yet done so.
PLANNING AND MODIFYING YOUR
COMBAT LOAD
To save time, you can combat load your vehicles while the quartering
party is readying the new site. Combat loading ensures a unit is
ready for combat even when it is on the move.
The principles of combat loading are standard. All equipment,
ammunition, and gear is loaded on the vehicles in a logical order and
put in preselected spots. Knowing where each item is lets you
retrieve it quickly if you need it during the move. And combat
loading helps you set up fast at your new site.
But the order of your loading and your choice of what equipment is
loaded, however, is tailored to the purpose of each move. No one load
plan can satisfy all situations. You must consider--
•METT-T.
•Vehicle and trailer capacities.
•Weight limits of unit vehicles and trailers. Do not overload
vehicles and trailers.
•Whether or not the equipment will fit ("cube-out"). For exact
data on any piece of equipment, see the applicable technical manual
(TM).
Ready-made load plans (and their loading diagrams) can help you
know if the cargo will fit. (Your unit's SOP should have load plans
tailored for its various mission activities.) Having a choice of "triedand-true" load plans for various deployments cuts trial-and-error time.
Modify the load plans and diagrams for each operation to suit METT-T
plus vehicle and trailer capacities. Show your modifications on your
load diagram. You can load a HMMWV in many configurations.
You can-•Load the basic equipment you need in the standard brackets that
are mounted on the vehicle.
•Modify and move the brackets to meet mission or unit
requirements.
COORDINATING AND DIRECTING THE MARCH
The march leader—
•Coordinates the road march, through his chain of command, with the local
movement control unit.
•Finds out if the convoy needs a movement credit or a clearance to use its
given route. If so, he submits a DD Form 1265 (STANAG 2155).
•Informs higher HQ and supported units of the dates and times that
operations will stop at the old site and begin at the new site.
•Tasks subordinate leaders to come to a briefing to discuss unit readiness and
load plans and to forecast support needs.
•Submits requests for support based on the forecast developed during the
briefing. (Requests may include frees, refueling, vehicle recovery operations,
and other support needed to complete the march.)
COORDINATING AND DIRECTING THE MARCH
•Issues an OPORD for the movement.
•Directs HQ personnel to prepare a movement table (STANAG 2041).
See Appendix E, FM 55-10, for detailed information on movement
tables.
•Has unit personnel analyze the route recon information looking for
likely enemy ambush sites.
•Ensures a strip map, which may be included as an annex to the
OPORD, is prepared. (The strip map shows start points, release
points, route numbers, place names, critical points, directional
arrows, distances between points, scheduled halt locations, and
petroleum, oils, and lubricants [POL] refill points.) Copies are given
to unit drivers.
•Ensures an MP noncommissioned officer (NCO) briefs the drivers
and assistant drivers. See Preparing (for convoy), Chapter 13.
•Directs radio communication be kept to a minimum during
movement.
•Tasks subordinates to ensure the road march plan is followed.
CONDUCTING THE MARCH
If the unit is to move at night, the march leader ensures personnel are aware of
and abide by the set lighting conditions. The commander sets the conditions under
which military traffic moves at night. More restricting conditions are sometimes
imposed by the threat environment (air raids and the like). Lighting conditions
might be normal lighting, reduced lighting, or blackout. When the situation
warrants, travel by total blackout. (Use night-vision goggles.) More often travel is
under partial blackout, using only enough light to see the road and be seen by
other road users. Reduced lighting keeps to a minimum light that might be visible
from the air. But it permits vehicles to—
•Travel as fast as possible compatible with safety.
•Brake in time.
•See the side of the road.
CONDUCTING THE MARCH
During a tactical road march, the march leader and the platoon sergeant travel
in separate vehicles. This decreases the chance of a unit's top leaders being lost
in one enemy action.
The convoy moves en route by closed or open column march, or by infiltration.
In a closed column your elements are close together. Set and maintain a distance
of 15 to 20 meters between vehicles. A closed column-•Cuts the time it takes for the column to pass points on the route.
•Needs fewer guides, escorts, and markers for control than an open column
does.
•Is used for moving through congested areas or over poorly marked routes.
•Is used for night moves during blackout conditions and/or radio silence.
CONDUCTING THE MARCH
In an open column the elements are widely spaced as a passive defense
measure. Keep a distance of 75 to 100 meters between vehicles. Use an
open column-•When enemy contact is likely.
•For moves made during daylight.
•Over dusty roads. (Reducing dust is especially important when
moving through areas contaminated by radioactive fallout.)
CONDUCTING THE MARCH
Infiltration is the best passive defense against enemy observation and attack. To
move by infiltration, dispatch vehicles one at a time or in small groups at
irregular intervals to keep traffic density low-•When time and road space allow.
•When maximum security, deception, and dispersion are needed.
•Maintain security during the march. When the unit approaches likely danger
areas, such as bridges, tunnels, and the like, have one or more teams
dismount. They should check both sides of the road before having the convoy
pass. This is critical if there was only time for a map recon before the move.
CONDUCTING THE MARCH
Bypass mined areas whenever possible. But-•Consider how the delay will affect the outcome of the
mission versus the safety of the unit movement.
•Be cautious. Mines can be used to force you to take an
alternate route into an ambush site.
•Screen the bypass route, if possible, prior to diverting
a convoy or other military traffic.
CONDUCTING THE MARCH
If you must cross a mined area when engineer assets are not available to breach the
minefield, act quickly, but cautiously. Mined areas, like other obstacles, are often
covered by enemy fire. Before crossing-•Detonate the mines from a protected position.
•Detonate mine trip wires by rigging an object near the trip wire to fall on the wire.
•Use a hand grenade or direct fire to detonate mines.
•Detonate pressure-sensitive mines by rigging an A-frame over the mine and
placing a heavy object, attached to a rope, over the mine. Take cover and allow the
object to fall on the mine.
•Devise other methods to detonate detected mines.
Be sure to send a report to the next higher command when you have neutralized the
mines. See Appendix E and FMs 20-32 and 21-75 for more on mines and countering
mines.
SETTING UP A NEW OPERATIONAL SITE
Units will often will collocate as part of an established base or base cluster. But on
occasion select Units may need to set up a base on their own. To set up at a new
location, whether as part of an established base or base cluster, or separately as a
company or a platoon base, you must--
•Reconnoiter new sites.
•Pick the most favorable site and its alternate. Choose a site
that---Is easily accessible.
--Can accommodate all the unit's vehicles and equipment.
--Has a firm, well-drained surface.
--Has some natural cover and concealment.
--Is relatively easy to defend.
•Prepare and secure the site.
•Complete the move.
•Establish local security to sustain survivability.
LEADING A QUARTERING PARTY
A quartering party is needed whenever a unit relocates. While the
unit loads for deployment, the quartering party moves to and readies
the new site. Their job ends when the last vehicle in the main body
arrives at the new site. The size of a quartering party is based on the•Tactical situation.
•Amount of work needed to prepare the site for occupancy.
A quartering party for a company is likely to have personnel from-•Unit HQ.
•Each platoon.
•Maintenance and dining sections.
•Communications.
But the quartering party for a platoon relocation would be much
smaller.
LEADING A QUARTERING PARTY
The quartering party leader-•Ensures equipment and supplies are available to clear, secure, and
set up the new site. A quartering party might need---NBC detecting and monitoring equipment.
--Mine detectors.
--Saws or axes to clear wooded areas.
--White engineer tape.
--Portable route signing material.
•Gives tasks to each team based on the size of the quartering party,
the work to be done, and METT-T.
•Ensures each team has the equipment needed to complete its
particular tasks. See FM 7-10.
•Ensures the teams are at the proper MOPP level if they are operating
in an NBC environment.
LEADING A QUARTERING PARTY
At march halts, teams set up local security. If the vehicles can leave the
road, the teams form a 360-degree perimeter around the convoy. If the
vehicles cannot leave the road, they are parked at an angle so alternate
vehicles face opposite sides of the road. See also Moving in Combat,
Chapter 2, and Providing Security for the Ammunition During Ground
Movement, Chapter 13. Each team is assigned a sector to observe. The
sectors overlap between vehicles. Each team member has a specific area
of responsibility. Troops remain alert, ready to take action on contact
with the enemy. All personnel look for enemy aircraft. See Reacting to
Air Attack Chapter 2.
LEADING A QUARTERING PARTY
When the quartering party reaches the site, it clears and then secures the
site. One or more teams, after dismounting their vehicles, search the area
for mines, booby traps, items of intelligence value, or other signs of
enemy presence.
•If nuclear weapons have been used, at least one team using
radiacmeters, monitors the site for radioactive contaminants. Because
it is hard to detect the first use of chemical and biological agents,
monitoring for these agents must be continuous. See Detecting and
Reporting NBC Hazards in Chapter 4.
LEADING A QUARTERING PARTY
•In urban areas, team members clear buildings to be used by the unit.
Team members may also clear structures outside the perimeter if
there is a possibility of enemy presence. The priority of buildings to
be cleared and the number of teams needed are based on METT-T.
See Attacking on Urban Terrain, Chapter 7. Also see FM 90-10-1.
When the area is cleared, one or more teams set up-•OPs/LPs.
•Defensive positions on likely enemy avenues of approach. These
positions provide early warning and limited protection during
occupation of the new site.
The next step is to ready the new site for the main body's arrival.
FOR A COMPANY MOVE
If the quartering party is setting up a company site, the quartering party-•Chooses a tentative location for the company CP.
•Sets up the company CP where it can best control the company, be
well defended, and have lines of communication to sub elements.
•Uses buildings (in an urban area) to conceal the CP.
•Considers defendability, cover, and concealment when choosing the
CP location.
•Sets up the wire communications net. See also Appendix F.
•Marks those areas where other unit elements will be positioned,
using signs or materials that cannot be easily seen by the enemy.
FOR A COMPANY MOVE
•Picks roads and trails that permit an easy flow of traffic.
•Chooses alternate exits and marks them for use as emergency exits.
•Designates parking areas for the heaviest, most awkward vehicles,
such as 5-ton trucks.
•Makes use of natural cover and concealment when possible.
•Uses camouflage screens and man-made cover and concealment
where needed.
•Selects a troop area and -- --Marks the areas where latrines, garbage
dumps, and tents will go. (For safety, unit personnel should sleep
only in the troop area. Ground guides should be used for vehicle
movement in areas where troops are sleeping.)
•--Chooses a structure (in an urban area) that protects the troops from
natural elements and has adequate latrine facilities.
FOR A COMPANY MOVE
Locate—
•The food service section inside the perimeter, well away from
interior roads to keep dust from contaminating the food. Locate the
serving line to take advantage of cover and concealment. In urban
areas use a building.
•The latrines away from the bivouac area. Place latrines---At least 30 meters down slope from wells or other water sources.
--At least 100 meters from the dining facility, downwind and down
slope, if possible. In urban areas use existing latrines if they can
serve at least 8 percent of the unit at one time.
FOR A COMPANY MOVE
•The maintenance section where vehicles can arrive easily from the
main road through the site. Vehicles should be able to enter the
maintenance tent at one end and exit at the other. In urban areas use
existing garages for maintenance operations. The supply section to
meet space, roadway access, and drainage needs. In urban areas use
warehouse-type buildings for supply operations.
•The tactical communications section where it has space enough to
support the whole operation. Usually it collocates with the
maintenance section or the operations section.
FOR A COMPANY MOVE
When the main body arrives—
•Ensure the vehicles---Rapidly clear the approach route.
--Are guided into the new site and parked.
•Brief the leader of the main body on the situation
and on the current status of operations.
FOR A COMPANY MOVE
If you are the main body leader—
•Inform higher HQ that the move has been completed.
•Report location coordinates for both the CP and the alternate CP by
messenger or other secure means.
•Ensure the entire party immediately begins preparing fighting
positions and other defense measures.
FOR A PLATOON RELOCATION
A quartering party in advance of a platoon relocation has the same
considerations, scaled to size and need, as one in advance of a
company. A platoon may collocate with a company HQ or an existing
base. But more often a platoon base must be set up where platoon HQ
can best—
•Command and control its squads.
•Communicate easily with its squads and higher HQ.
•Link squads, company CR and/or supported unit.
FOR A PLATOON RELOCATION
Platoon HQ can operate from a static base. But it also can operate
from vehicles. If platoon elements are going to operate in one
location (as they would for an EPW holding area), you would want to
set up a static platoon HQ base. But if your platoon elements must
operate dispersed over a large area, the platoon leader must remain
mobile. In such cases a platoon leader could elect to set up a
"temporary" platoon base as a rally point to report, resupply, and
reorganize the platoon's resources.
All platoon bases are set up basically the same.
FOR A PLATOON RELOCATION
The platoon sergeant picks a site that offers good cover and
concealment. The site must be defendable and allow the HQ vehicle to
be parked near the tent. A small tent houses the platoon HQ. A radio set
control group can be used to remote communications into the tent. An
antenna increases transmission distance. Locate the antenna based on
OPSEC principles. See also MP Drill 8, Assemble and Erect OE-254
/GRC Antenna System, in ARTEP 19-100-10-Drill. Wire
communications are limited to those platoons that can hook into an
existing wire net.
CONDUCTING BASE SELF-DEFENSE
When you collocate with a base or base cluster you are
integrated into that base's or base cluster's self-defense
planning and operations. When you set up base on its
own, your base is responsible for its own security and
protection.
COLLOCATED
When collocated, you coordinate with the base
defense operation center (BDOC)/base cluster
operation center (BCOC) to integrate your efforts
with the base's/base cluster's efforts. Your portion
of the base's/base cluster's defense is to help
provide early warning of the Threat by your area
security and/or BCC operations in the area near the
base or base cluster.
COLLOCATED
Each base has a BDOC that plans, coordinates, and supervises
base defense operations. The BDOC initiates contingency
planning that enables the base to—
•Increase the manning posture of the base based on the
Threat.
•Detect and defeat the Threat within their capabilities.
•Hold against heavier enemy forces until response forces
arrive.
•Maintain control of the fight within the base.
•Support the fire and movement of the response force
operating outside the base.
COLLOCATED
Each base cluster has a BCOC to monitor base defense plans and
establish the base cluster reaction force. The BCOC—
•Provides the command and control of resources for planning,
coordinating, and supervising the defense of the base cluster.
•Coordinates base defense operations.
•Maintains communications with bases within the cluster as well
as with MP, BDOCs, and the rear area operations center (RAOC).
A great deal of intelligence is provided to a BDOC/BCOC through
the rear operations net, which helps in planning the defense.
COLLOCATED
Your plans for the interface of MP support into the base's self defense
plans address—
•Cover and concealment of personnel and equipment.
•Signal security.
•Reliable and redundant communications systems at all guard
locations (land line, radio links to BDOC, telephone hookup to center
switch).
•Deception.
•Contingency planning.
•Improvement of base defense positions.
•Assistance of area MP.
COLLOCATED
•Coordination with BCOC or RAOC as required.
•OPs/LPs.
•Noise and light discipline.
•Immediate reaction to enemy threat or attack.
•Rehearsals of defense measures.
All plans and overlays depicting MP support are forwarded to the BCOC.
There they are consolidated and forwarded to the RAOC. (If a base is not
part of a base cluster, the base forwards all plans and overlays directly to
the RAOC.)
SET UP SEPARATELY
When you set up as a "base" separately, you must be able to defend
against a wide range of enemy activity. And you must integrate the
defense of your base with the defense efforts of other bases in the rear
area. Indirect fire systems, air defense artillery, tactical aircraft.
Engineers, dismounted troops, armored vehicles, and helicopters all
contribute to bases' overall security. But bases must coordinate and
synchronize their defense efforts to enhance their strengths and reduce
their vulnerabilities.
SET UP SEPARATELY
Using the intelligence preparation of the battlefield (IPB) process
can help you predict threats to base security. You want to be aware
of enemy location, organization, direction of movement, and
strength. (And you must have effective OPSEC to deny similar
friendly information to the enemy.) You can continually improve
base defenses by considering what avenues of approach and
methods of attack the enemy could use, given the vulnerabilities of
your base. Make sure your base defense plan has overlays depicting
weapons positions, sectors of fire, final protective fires, and reaction
force contingencies. Update the plans as often as you can.
Coordinate your base's reaction force efforts
with the designated area response force. You
must develop detailed employment plans and
exchange as much information as possible with
the response force and TCF commander before
they are needed. Although your base's reaction
force usually would not fight beyond the
perimeter of your base, the reaction force must
be ready to assist the response force or TCF
when it arrives. Consider--
•Command relationships before, during,
and after linkup.
•Coordination of fire support before,
during, and after linkup.
•Recognition signals and communication
procedures to be employed.
•Follow-on operations required.
•Area damage control.
SET UP IN A HIDE POSITION
If your squad/platoon must step down from sustained
continuous operations and you cannot just return to your
base or base cluster, you may need to operate briefly from a
"hide position." When used properly, a hide position can
enable your squad/platoon to rest, recover, and repair
damaged equipment and to plan for future operations. A
good hide position is one that offers concealment with little
chance of detection by the enemy. You want to get the best
security you can, tasking the fewest soldiers needed to
provide security.
SET UP IN A HIDE POSITION
The hide position should be located in or near the area of
normal operations so that sustained operations can be
resumed immediately, on order. ME'TT-T should be of
primary concern, as in any operation. Easily defensible
positions are preferred over those that are more difficult to
secure/defend. The position should have more than one exit
route.
Pick a position where communications capability with the
next higher HQ is enhanced or at least not reduced by
terrain. While built-up/urban areas afford suitable
concealment for hide positions, it is essential that the
requirement and capability to communicate be thoroughly
assessed prior to selection of such a site.
SET UP IN A HIDE POSITION
Keep vehicles nearby. You want them secure and available. Plan
vehicle positions so that key equipment can be moved or removed
without displacement of the entire unit. Equipment must be concealed
from the sides, as well as from overhead. This will prevent detection
from aerial observers and some side-looking airborne radar.
Cover and conceal to reduce security and/or defense requirements.
There should be sufficient space between vehicles to allow a vehicle to
bypass any other vehicle that may be rendered inoperable.
Make sure your squad or platoon follows signal security and uses noise
and light discipline. Set up fighting positions if your situation calls for
them.
SETTING UP LOCAL SECURITY
Self-defense planning and coordination must be done as
soon as the base is set up. Prior planning and mission
analysis are essential elements of a base defense. You
must be able to defend your site even before your
occupation is complete. When an element is sited as part
of an established base, it helps defend a portion of the
larger units' perimeter. But elements set up separately
usually must defend their sites by deploying in a 360degree perimeter.
SETTING UP LOCAL SECURITY
The techniques and principles of defense are the same for defending a
separate squad, platoon, company, or base. To plan a perimeter defense,
evaluate the situation. Analyze the terrain in terms of "OCOKA." Look
for observation and fields of fire, cover and concealment, obstacles, key
terrain, and avenues of approach. Then place your defenses where the
threat is greatest.
For example, you would deploy your platoon in a circle around the area
to be protected with squads and teams defending a portion of that circle.
After considering METT-T, plan deployment of squads and automatic
and antiarmor weapons. Determine if range cards, indirect fire, and
mines and obstacles should be used.
SETTING UP LOCAL SECURITY
Decide where to place your command post-observation post (CP-OP).
Locate your main CP-OP where you can best see and control the platoon.
If this is not possible, locate a main CP-OP where it can cover the most
likely enemy approach. Place an alternate CP-OP, to be operated by the
platoon sergeant, where it can control the portion of the perimeter that
cannot be seen or controlled by the main CP-OP. Then decide what other
security measures and what communications means to use.
To counteract Threat ultraviolet, infrared, radar, seismic, and other
sensors, you must plan more than just cover and concealment. Use the
principles of camouflage. Counter the recognition factors that make an
object stand out from its background. Do this by—
•Locating soldiers, equipment, or structures where they are least discernible.
(This by itself, can reduce or eliminate many recognition factors.)
•Using any mix of hiding, blending disrupting and/or disguising that conceals
"visibility."
•Maintaining camouflage discipline continuously.
SETTING UP LOCAL SECURITY
When the number of troops to defend a 360-degree perimeter is small,
vary the size of defensive sectors, identify alternate fighting positions,
and retain flexibility of thinking. Decide what equipment-•Is needed to set up a perimeter defense.
•Should stay in the vehicles.
•Must be requisitioned or picked up later.
Equipment to improve defensive positions includes such items as-•Concertina wire.
•Sandbags and tape (for cover and concealment).
•Trip flares.
•Pyrotechnic devices.
•Mines.
SETTING UP LOCAL SECURITY
You must be able to defend day and night, when visibility is limited, and
in a variety of weather conditions. Ensure you have the equipment
needed to defend under these conditions. And use it. When visibility is
poor-•Take steps to keep the enemy from observing or surprising the
platoon.
•Require OPs/LPs. There should be at least one OP/LP per squad.
OPs/LPs report the enemy's advance and call for illumination and
supporting fire.
•Use patrols, illumination, and night-vision devices to help detect the
enemy's advance.
•Use trip flares to provide warning and give some illumination. As a
rule, do not fire until targets are visible.
SETTING UP LOCAL SECURITY
•Use camouflage, movement control, and light and noise discipline.
•Limit radio traffic to essential information.
•Ensure strict fire control to keep from disclosing fighting positions.
•Have gunners with crew-served and antiarmor weapons use nightvision devices.
•Provide illumination by using hand-held flares or grenade launchers
with illuminating rounds. Added light may be provided by fire
support.
Platoon leaders plan the use of messengers, visual signals, personal
contact, or whistles to communicate with squad leaders. Squad leaders
plan to communicate with their team leaders and teams using personal
contact or sound and visual signals.
CONSTRUCTING FIGHTING/
SURVIVABILITY POSITIONS
Fighting positions help protect you and your equipment from the enemy.
A fighting position provides cover and concealment from which to
engage or defend against the enemy. (Individual fighting positions are
constructed in accordance with FM 7-8.) The positions help protect you
from enemy small arms fire and fragmentation weapons while allowing
you full weapon system engagement.
Fighting positions do not protect against the destructiveness of artillery
and other area weapons. But a dug-in fighting position may well be your
key to survivability. "Digging in" cannot, by itself, remove your
vulnerability. It does reduce exposure to the enemy's acquisition,
targeting, and engagement systems. You must be able to construct your
survivability position, often without Engineer assistance.
CONSTRUCTING FIGHTING/
SURVIVABILITY POSITIONS
Fighting positions for crew-served weapons must be where
gunners can stop infantry attacks. Plan the sectors of fire covering
infantry avenues of approach. They should give the most grazing
fire across the platoon or squad front. Sectors of fire should
overlap each other and those of adjacent squads. Prepare the
positions so that their primary sectors of fire have the guns firing
across the unit's front. Prepare secondary sectors of fire so the
guns fire to the front.
CONSTRUCTING FIGHTING/
SURVIVABILITY POSITIONS
Usually each SAW, M60 or MK19 fighting position is occupied
by a SAW team. One member is the gunner, one is the
assistant gunner, and one is the ammunition bearer/rifleman.
Each gunner has a primary and a secondary sector of fire.
The gunner fires in his secondary sector only on order or
when there are no targets in his primary sector. Each gunner
sets his weapon for a final protective line (FPL) or a principal
direction of fire (PDF) within his primary sector. This is done
by using aiming stakes. Both FPL and PDF are control
measures to help defend a position. In an attack the gunner
knows his primary areas. He engages the greatest threat, and,
on order of the platoon leader or platoon sergeant, fires the
FPL.
CONSTRUCTING FIGHTING/
SURVIVABILITY POSITIONS
The FPL for the SAW is the line where an enemy assault is to be checked
by interlocking fire from all weapons. Use the SAW on the FPL for
grazing fire no more than one meter above the ground -about hip high across the element front. Use the M203 to cover dead space. To figure
the dead space on the FPL, the gunner watches a person walking down
the FPL and marks spaces that cannot be grazed. The gunner records all
dead space data on the range card. He prepares at least two copies of his
range card. He keeps one card at the position and gives one copy to the
squad leader. Fire on a gunner's FPL is its final protective fire (FPF). FPF
is usually used as a last resort to stop an enemy assault. All weapons fire
on command, continuously, until called for FPF to be stopped.
CONSTRUCTING FIGHTING/
SURVIVABILITY POSITIONS
When terrain prevents the use of an FPL, the gunner uses a PDF instead.
He directs his fire toward the most threatening avenue of approach that
leads to his position. His weapon is positioned to fire directly on this
approach rather than across the squad's front.
Fighting positions for the MK19 and .50-caliber are constructed like
M60 fighting positions. But it takes added effort to keep the M3 tripod
from moving because of the MK19's recoil. If you are using the M60
machine gun, use the tripod when firing at an angle. Use the biped when
tiring to the front. When you change your fires from the oblique to the
front, move the machine gun. But leave the tripod in place. If you are
using the MK19, position the tripod toward the primary sector of fire.
However, because there is no biped for the MK19, be prepared to adjust
both the weapon and tripod to the secondary sector, if required. After a
crew is positioned and is assigned an FPL or a PDF, the team--
CONSTRUCTING FIGHTING/
SURVIVABILITY POSITIONS
•Marks the tripod's position and the limits of their sectors of fire with
aiming stakes.
•Outlines the hole.
•Digs the firing platform first. This lessens their exposure if they have to
shoot before construction of the position is complete. (Dig the firing
platform at a level that allows the gun to traverse the sectors of fire.)
•Lowers the gun to reduce the gunner's profile. This also reduces the
height of the frontal cover needed.
•Digs the hole deep enough to protect themselves and still allow the
gunner to shoot in comfort (usually about armpit deep).
•Places the dirt where frontal cover is needed. When the frontal cover is
high enough and thick enough, uses the rest of the dirt to build flank and
rear cover. (Sandbags, wire, hatchets, or saws can be useful for building
overhead cover or improving the fighting positions.)
The ammunition bearer digs a one-man fighting position to the flank. He locates
himself where he can see and shoot to both the front and the oblique. Usually the
ammunition bearer is on the same side as the FPL or the PDF. From there he can see
and shoot into the machine gun's secondary sector. And he also can see the gunner and
the assistant gunner. The ammunition bearer connects his position to the machine-gun
position by a crawl trench. That way he can provide ammunition or replace one of the
gunners.
SELECTING FIGHTING POSITIONS FOR
URBAN TERRAIN
Planning your defense on urban terrain is similar to planning a defense in
the countryside. Defensive positions must cover likely enemy avenues of
approach. Defensive positions must be mutually supporting. They must
provide cover and concealment. Antitank weapons are used on mounted
avenues of approach. Machine guns cover dismounted approaches.
LAWs/AT4s and M203 grenade launchers work well in built-up areas.
They have a good chance to hit enemy armored vehicles on the top or the
side where armor is thin.
The method of defense (in-depth linear, or the like) in the two areas is
based on the same considerations. Obstacles are used to canalize the
enemy into kill zones or to deny key terrain. Orders must be very
specific. Due to limited resources, use obstacles to channel, divert, or
impede movement. Obstacles should be developed and planned in
accordance with (IAW) FM 90-10-1, Appendix G.
SELECTING FIGHTING POSITIONS
FOR URBAN TERRAIN
Select defensive positions in urban areas based on METT-T. Often a
squad occupies a building, but larger buildings may be defended by a
platoon. Select buildings that-•Are well-built. Concrete and steel construction is preferred.
•Have strong floors to keep the structure from collapsing under the
weight of debris.
•Have thick walls and floors so that the enemy cannot shoot through
roofs and walls to kill defenders.
•Are constructed of nonflammable material. Avoid wood. Strong,
fireproof construction provides protection from nuclear attack as well
as conventional firepower
SELECTING FIGHTING POSITIONS
FOR URBAN TERRAIN
•Have few glass windows (or break and remove the glass).
•Provide good fields of fire. Buildings located next to
vacant lots, alleys, and parks allow better fields of fire than
buildings located next to other buildings.
•Allow mutual support between buildings. No building
should be subject to attack without troops in another
building being able to provide supporting fire.
SELECTING FIGHTING POSITIONS
FOR URBAN TERRAIN
Locate positions so as not to establish a pattern. Avoid obvious firing
locations like church steeples (remember the elements of OCOKA):
•Place MK19s in the building where they can cover assigned sectors
of fire and FPLs.
•Have the squad automatic riflemen and grenadiers cover enemy
approach routes to the building.
•Place most rifle positions at or near ground level to have overhead
protection and provide grazing fire on approaches.
•Position some MK19 gunners higher to get a longer range. And they
can fire into areas that would be dead space for ground-level
weapons.
•Position AT4s/LAWs (remember the backblast) so that they can fire
down on tracked infantry fighting vehicles and wheeled scout recon
vehicles.
SELECTING FIGHTING POSITIONS
FOR URBAN TERRAIN
Change the outside of the building as little as possible. Inside the building-•Improve fighting positions to provide more overhead and frontal cover; firing
ports are used to avoid enemy observation.
•Cut or blow holes between rooms and floors so your soldiers can move
quickly by a covered and concealed route to other tiring positions in the
building.
•Seal off unused basements to prevent enemy entry.
•Barricade doors, halls, and stairs and take down fire escapes to keep the
enemy out of the building.
•Reinforce positions with sandbags, solid debris beds furniture, and the like.
•Screen or block windows and other openings. (This keeps the enemy from
seeing which windows are manned and from throwing hand grenades into the
building. When firing from windows or holes in walls be sure the muzzle of
your weapon does not protrude beyond the wall. This conceals the muzzle
flash.)
SELECTING FIGHTING POSITIONS
FOR URBAN TERRAIN
•Remove combustible materials to limit the danger of fire.
•Turn off electricity and gas.
•Stockpile water and dirt to fight fires.
•Wear armored vests, earplugs, and goggles to protect you from dust
and debris
SETTING UP OPs/LPs
An OP/LP is a selected location from which to look and listen for
enemy activity within an assigned area of observation. You can use
OPs/LPs—
•On key terrain when the surveillance of a specific area is
required.
•To prevent the enemy from a surprise attack on other friendly
forces.
•As an early warning security measure in a defensive perimeter.
•For the monitoring of likely enemy avenues of approach, drop
zones (DZs), and landing zones (LZs).
SETTING UP OPs/LPs
The platoon leader picks the general location of OPs/LPs. The
squad leader picks the exact positions. He chooses places that•Offer a good view of the sector.
•Offer cover and concealment.
•Offer covered and concealed routes to and from the
OP/LP.
SETTING UP OPs/LPs
He avoids places that-•Attract attention, like water towers, isolated groves of trees, a lone
building or tree, or abandoned vehicles.
•Silhouette observers, like hilltops that skyline the position or
vehicles.
Place OPs/LPs down the slope or on a flank of a hill, if there are covered
withdrawal routes. Ideally, have each OP's/LP's field of observation
overlap those of adjacent OPs/LPs. You may have to selectively clear
fields of observation. Good observation of a sector may mean less cover
and concealment. You should be able to enter and leave an OP/LP
without being seen.
SETTING UP OPs/LPs
The team or teams at an OP/LP should have nightvision devices. The
observer needs—
•Binoculars to help him see and identify the enemy.
•A compass to get azimuth readings.
•A map with target reference points plotted on it so he can call for
indirect fire.
•A radio (this may be the only means of communication from a
remote site like a DZ or an LZ).
OP/LP team emplacement at night depends a lot on sound. Place
OPs/LPs close to the perimeter. And place them within direct fire range
of the defensive perimeter for protection.
SETTING UP OPs/LPs
The team leader designates a specific location and primary
direction of fire for the crew-served weapon. The OP/LP team builds
a hasty fighting position or a prepared fighting position depending on
METT-T. The team leader also designates a covered and concealed
location behind the OP/LP for the vehicle. The OP/LP team must have
a covered and concealed withdrawal route to the vehicle from the
fighting position. The team camouflages the OP/LP and their vehicle
while the gunner clears a field of fire and prepares a range card.
SETTING UP OPs/LPs
The squad leader establishes communication with higher HQ and
tells the team when and how to report. He tells them-•If and when they should fire at the enemy.
•How to get back to the squad if they must withdraw.
•What reentry signals to use.
•When they will be replaced, if he knows this.
•To fight or withdraw according to his instructions.
•To be careful not to be drawn away by a small enemy element while
the main element attempts to penetrate the perimeter.
•When to pull back or under what conditions they can withdraw
without his order.
SETTING UP OPs/LPs
The frequency of relief for the OP/LP team depends on the team's
physical condition and morale, the weather, the number of troops
available, and the next operation. The squad leader carefully plans how
each soldier receives rest. When an OP/LP team is part of a defensive
perimeter, they—
•Build fighting positions for protection and concealment.
•Use trip flares, noisemaking devices, and night-vision devices to
detect the enemy.
•Emplace Claymore mines for added protection.
•Coordinate with the perimeter on the reentry procedures to the
perimeter from the withdrawal route.
SETTING UP OPs/LPs
OPs/LPs on a defensive perimeter need wire or secured
radio for communication. Messengers can also be used. You may use
man-portable radios to supplement wire communication.
At an OP/LP usually one team member observes. Another provides
security and records and reports information. The third provides relief
and backup security. Team members switch jobs about every 20 to 30
minutes. The efficiency of the observer drops quickly after that time.
SETTING UP OPs/LPs
As the observer you search terrain in two steps. First make quick,
overall searches of the entire area for obvious targets and unnatural
colors, outlines, or movements. Do this by quickly searching from
just in front of your position to the maximum range you wish to
observe. If the sector is wide, divide it into small sectors. Then
search the sector in 50-meter-wide strips. Alternate your search
pattern from left to right and right to left until the entire area has
been observed. When you see a suspicious spot, search it well.
Report all information quickly, accurately, and completely.
Ensure the report answers the questions of who, what, when,
where, why, and how. Use the word SALUTE (size, activity,
location, unit, time, and equipment)
MAKING SECTOR SKETCHES
After the crew-served weapons are in position, the squad leader
positions the remaining MP to protect the gunners and to cover areas
not covered by the gunners' fire. Using the range cards, the squad
leader makes a squad sector sketch. (Range cards are a rough sketch
of the terrain around a weapon.)
Squad sector sketches are used by squad and platoon leaders to plan
defense and to control fire. Squad sector sketches show--
MAKING SECTOR SKETCHES
•Main terrain features in each sector of fire and the ranges to the
features.
•Each primary fighting position.
•Primary and secondary sectors of fire for each position.
•MK19/M60/.50-caliber FPL or PDF.
•Type of weapon at each position.
•OPs/LPs and squad leaders' positions.
•Dead space.
•Mines and obstacles.
MAKING SECTOR SKETCHES
The squad leader checks range cards and the squad sector sketch. If
he finds gaps or other flaws in the fire plan, the weapons or the sectors
are adjusted as needed. If he finds dead space, he takes steps to cover it
with mines, grenade-launcher fire, or indirect fire. He prepares two
copies of the squad sector sketch. He keeps one copy and forwards the
other copy to the platoon leader who makes a platoon sector sketch. The
platoon sector sketch shows-•Squad sectors of fire.
•Crew-served and antiarmor weapons positions and sectors of fire,
including FPLs or PDFs for the crew-served weapons and target
reference points for the antiarmor weapons.
•Positions of mines and obstacles.
•Indirect fire planned in the platoon's sector of fire (targets and FPF).
•OPs/LPs and patrol routes (if any).
•Platoon CP-OP.
MAKING SECTOR SKETCHES
The platoon leader coordinates with nearby units. He usually
coordinates from left to right and from front to rear. The fires of units
within the perimeter must be closely coordinated with the platoon's
defensive fire plan. Squad leaders coordinate their fire plans with
adjacent squads.
All positions and units near the platoon are mutually supporting. The
platoon leader makes sure gaps between units are covered by fire,
observation, patrols, OPs/LPs, or sensors. The units exchange
information on--
MAKING SECTOR SKETCHES
•The location of dead space between elements and how to cover it.
•The locations of primary, alternate, and supplementary positions
and sectors of fire for automatic weapons, antiarmor weapons, and
subordinate elements.
•The locations of OPs/LPs.
•The locations and types of obstacles and how they are covered by
fire.
•Any patrols to be conducted, giving their size, type, times of
departure and return, and routes.
LAYING HASTY PROTECTIVE MINEFIELDS
When you can, lay a hasty protective minefield as part of the unit's
defensive perimeter. It can stop, delay, or restrict movement. MP often
lay mines to restrict enemy movement near a defensive perimeter or at
ambush sites. In the defense, platoons and squads lay hasty protective
minefield to supplement weapons, to prevent surprise, and to give early
warning of enemy advance. Hasty minefields must be covered by fire.
Make sure adjacent units are informed of mine locations.
Platoons and squads must have permission from higher HQ to install
hasty protective minefields. Higher HQ may, however, delegate approval
authority to the company commander for emplacement of hasty
protective minefield. Requests for permission go through the normal
chain of command.
LAYING HASTY PROTECTIVE MINEFIELDS
If your company is not authorized mines in its basic loads, a special
request may be needed. The enemy threat to the rear requires
commanders to issue mines to rear area units for protection. The two
mines most likely to be available to rear area units for hasty protective
minefield are the M18A1 antipersonnel mine (Claymore) and the M21
antitank mine. See also FM 20-32 and FM 21-75.
MP most often will have Claymores available to them. The Claymore
mine is mainly a defensive weapon. But the ways in which you use the
Claymore are limited only by your imagination. Plan your use of
Claymore mines to suit METT-T. Emplace mines--
LAYING HASTY PROTECTIVE MINEFIELDS
•On likely dismounted avenues of approach.
•To cover dead space not covered by FPF of crew-served weapons.
•Outside hand grenade range, but within range of small arms
weapons.
•Where they are covered by observation and fire.
•Where backblast will not injure friendly forces.
•Beside buildings or other sturdy structures in urban terrain.
•Hidden in rubble; inside abandoned vehicles.
•Strapped to boards (for detonation from around corners).
Recover the mines before the unit relocates (if possible by the same
persons who emplaced them).
DEFENDING YOUR SITE
Vigilance is the watchword for local security. When OPs/LPs
detect enemy elements, they notify their superior who calls for
indirect fire, if it is available. When the enemy's advance
threatens the OPs/LPs, order the OPs/LPs to withdraw. As the
enemy approaches platoon positions, have the platoon increase
their volume of fire.
If infantry and armored vehicles are attacking, have the platoon
fire to force the vehicles to button up and to separate mounted
troops from the vehicles. Break up attacking formations as far
forward of the platoon's position as possible. This will help to
disrupt the momentum of the enemy assault.
DEFENDING YOUR SITE
If an assaulting enemy is preparing to overrun a platoon's positions,
call for FPF. Automatic weapons with an FPL fire on that line. Those
weapons without an FPL fire along their PDF. All other weapons fire
and continue firing until the assault has been halted. Use a
prearranged signal, like a colored star cluster, to stop the firing.
Repeat FPF as often as needed. (FPF expends a lot of ammunition.
Use it only if you must stop an enemy assault from closing on your
element's position.)
If the enemy gets through the FPF, repel them by close combat. If the
perimeter is penetrated, move teams to block the penetration and
cover friendly troops moving to alternate or supplementary positions.
Even though your counterattack capability is limited, you must try to
restore the perimeter. When the enemy is repelled--
DEFENDING YOUR SITE
•Set up security again.
•Send patrols forward to maintain contact.
•Call for indirect fire on areas where the enemy is likely
to regroup.
•Reorganize squads.
•Evacuate seriously wounded personnel.
•Redistribute and resupply ammunition.
•Repair positions and continue to improve them.
Keep your next higher commander informed throughout the
conduct of the defense.
WHAT ARE YOUR
QUESTIONS?